Well, yeah most alchemists have a lab and a library. It is a science and there is research involved. But it all depends on the way you use alchemy. What you use it for. I've helped fix things for people and helped try stop a flooding river for example. I'm also aware that as a State Alchemist I could be called up by the military to use my alchemy to fight if we were at war. I can make weapons, assuming I have the metal, for example.

[But evidently. Whatever his motivations on joining the military they have more to offer him that he considers that risk of being called on to fight worth it. Or at least he did. He's kind of about to become a fugitive and all.]